2013 NAIA Menís Cross Country Runner of the Week - No. 6

Atkin honored with second NAIA men's cross country weekly award after breaking Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) school record

October 23, 2013

By: Sam Knehans, Communications & Sports Information Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sam Atkin of Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) has been named the NAIA Men's Cross Country National Runner of the Week, the national office announced Wednesday. Atkin was chosen for his performance during the week of Oct. 14 – 20 and was selected out of a pool of conference, independent, and unaffiliated grouping award winners.

Atkin, a junior from Lincolnshire, England, placed first among collegiate runners at the Inland Empire Championships at Lewis-Clark State’s home course in Lewiston, Idaho. Atkin, who was paced by 2012 NAIA national runner-up Greg Montgomery, a graduate of College of Idaho, ran the 8-kilometer course in 23:25 finishing 14 seconds behind Montgomery but nearly 30 seconds ahead of his nearest collegiate competitor. Atkin’s mark shattered the Warriors program record and led No. 4 Lewis-Clark State to the team title. The Warriors, who had four runners place among the top 15 individuals, outpaced a nine-team field that included current No. 8 Eastern Oregon and No. 22 College of Idaho.

With this week’s selection, Atkin becomes the first athlete to earn multiple Runner of the Week awards in 2013. The last runner to claim multiple honors was Evans Kirwa of Embry-Riddle (Fla.), who was the Runner of the Week three times in 2012.